left Quote SYMEON THE NEW THEOLOGIAN (949–1022)

 

 

Christians who do not show their faith through works are unbelievers, or they have difficulty believing, or they believe only in part.   The demons also believe (cf. James 2:19) and confess Christ to be God and Master. 'We know Who You are' (Mark 1:24), they say, 'You are the Son of God' (Mt. 8:29); and elsewhere, 'These men are the servants of the Most High God' (Acts 16:17).  Yet such faith will not benefit the demons, nor humans either. This faith is of no use, for it is dead.

 

 

 

 

 

In their many different idioms the classical spiritual writers have attempted to throw light on the eternal question of union with God. 
Every month we give you a brief passage from a spiritual classic.